Page 21 of Josephine and Clay

My boots crunch over gravel as I slip around the back of Buckhorn Feed & Supply, pressing myself briefly against the side of the building like I’m evading something far more dangerous than a man I had a one-night stand with.

This is insane. I’m a grown woman, a professional, a licensed veterinarian. I don’t hide behind buildings.

I close my eyes, calming my breathing.

He didn’t see me, which is good. Ideal, actually. Because what would I have done if he had? Said hello? Pretended nothing happened? Acted like I didn’t let a near stranger into my home and my bed less than a week ago?

My stomach flips.

I push off the wall and take a cautious step toward the corner, peeking out just enough to check.

He’s still there.

Of course he is.

Why wouldn’t he be?

He shifts his weight, says something to the man beside him, and I swear his head starts to turn in this direction.

I duck back instantly, my pulse thundering so hard against my rib cage I fear it might explode. I press my hand flat against my sternum like I can physically force my heart to calm down.

Okay, new plan: I wait. He’ll have to leave eventually, right?

I stand there for I don’t know how long. Long enough for this to go from mildly ridiculous to deeply embarrassing. A truck drives past. Someone laughs somewhere down the street.

Life continues while I’m hiding behind a feed store. Fantastic.

I inch forward, slower this time. I peek again and find he’s gone. Relief hits so fast it makes my knees feel weak.

“Oh, thank goodness,” I murmur under my breath.

I straighten, brush imaginary dust from my jeans, and step back out onto the sidewalk like I haven’t just completely derailed my morning.

Like I’m not going to spend the rest of the day with him in mind.

I tighten my grip on the box and focus on the rhythm of my steps instead. One foot, then the other.

Clinic is three blocks down. You have work to do. You have responsibilities. You have a life that doesn't include impulsive decisions or men who feel like trouble…

Anyway, he won’t be in town much longer.

CHAPTER FIVE

Clay

APRIL 30TH

I don’t sleep much the night before I leave.

But not because anything’s wrong. Everything’s fine.

Better than fine, actually. The ranch is normal, Hailey’s healthy, and Nash hasn’t passed out from exhaustion yet, which is a win. Boone’s got everything under control as always. Dallas is… Dallas. Quiet, solid, exactly where he’s supposed to be.

Everything’s good, and I still can’t breathe.

I lie there staring at the ceiling, hands behind my head, listening to the house settle into the kind of quiet that only comes after a long day. Every now and then, I catch the soft cry of the baby down the hall.

By the time the sun’s properly up, I’m already dressed, bag packed, boots on. I don’t make a big deal of it. Never have. No point dragging things out.